or parts of this former waterfront military base in san francisco. in both cases politicians said no. >> congressman representing his district. a senator representing his or her state. they want to make sure they're taken care of. sometimes that may get in the way of what is best for the nays. >> reporter: the federal government is also america's biggest landlord, selling 20% of its empty or underperforming buildings would save $2 billion. >> you go through your garage. you clear it out and the government is no different. the scale, just a matter of scale. >> reporter: the feds also refuse to sell valuable public landed a adjacent to fast-growing cities and let mining companies take billions in gold and silver for free, without charging royalties like we do for oil and natural gas. selling amtrak could net 60 billion. two taxpayer-owned utility, the tennessee valley authority, and bonneville power, would bring in even more. a commission could oversee the sale to overcome partisan opposition. >> the commission could look at all of the federal assets,